Laptop Issues

[Menolly]

So...our old Compaq Presario 2100 is giving us fits, and neither Hyperception nor I can figure it out. I'll put it out there and mayhaps someone will be able to figure this out for us.

About a month ago, for absolutely no reason we can see, the laptop would suddenly go into hiberante, and shut down. We've disabled hibernate, so instead it will do the same with stand by. All I need to do is press the start button and it comes right back, but since I access the 'net via dial-up, I am disconnected each time this happens.

This going into stand-by problem has started getting worse in the last week, as it will keep going into stand-by as I boot up the computer about five times. Once finally booted completely, it stops, but it can occur sporadically at any time.

Then, two nights ago, my screen suddenly started to go into "energy saver" mode unexpectedly, where it is nearly totally dimmed out but I can just barely see that new text appears in an IM window if I receive an IM while it's happening. But it is too dim to make anything out. And using the touch pad or keyboard does not bring it back, I have to totally reboot and then deal with the stand-by problem again.

Any suggestions on where to start to attempt to rectify this? As I said, even Hyperception is stumped, although I admit he hasn't sat down and devoted a lot of time to it yet...

[The Laughing Man]

Definitely sounds hardware failure related, but the fact you mention standby and dark screen issues I'm wondering if it's a hibernate/stanby issue or a faulty display? Many laptops displays malfunction due to a loose connector (frequently situated under/near the power button), and a common problem with LCD's is the backlight burns out, which really sounds like your last problem mentioned there. Without looking at it physically it's a tough call to make, especially determining whether it's a display issue or an actual hibernate/standby malfunction. First thing I'd do is check all the internal connections, and if that didn't pan out I'd reload a fresh copy of XP to rule out OS corruption, and if that still didn't help, then you have a technical problem that requires a professional I'm afraid.

[wayfriend]

Sounds like a battery or a power supply issue.

If the problem goes away if you plug in the laptop while you use it, you may need a new battery.

[Menolly]

I only use AC power, LF. The battery has been dead for months, and we don't even keep it in the laptop itself.

Oy Esmer. I know nothing of the things you said.

The screen works fine upon reboot, fully bright and functioning. But it can go into the dim display at random, and needs to be rebooted to come back.

OK, if I get brave enough to actually open this thing...what do I look for regarding the internal connections?

[wayfriend]

Then the problem might be the AC power supply itself.

[Menolly]

I dunno.

The power cord is brand new, WF. I bought it when the hibernate issue began. But, it is a strange one by hewlett-packard. It is 90w and this laptop needs 75w, so there's an adapter that came with it that I have to attach to plug it into the laptop. Yet, it is official power cord HP is offering for this Compaq.

[[Syl]]

Some or all of these things you've probably done already.

Settings - Control Panel - Power Options - Power Scheme: turn off monitor = never, turn off hard disks = never, system stand by = never.
Settings - Control Panel - Power Options - Hibernate:
enable hibernate = unchecked
Settings - Control Panel - Display - Screen Saver:
Screen saver = none
Settings - Control Panel - Power Options - Ups : make sure no UPS device is selected.

You could also try removing any desktop background image and setting the background color to black. It will cause your monitor to draw less power, though if you bring up an all white page, like Google... If you decide going that route is necessary, though, I'd also recommend to go to Services (settings - control panel - administrative tools - services or just run : services), select "Themes," change startup to "disabled" and hit stop.

You could also try downloading and running a reputable registry repair program.

Other than that, I'd say take it to a professional.

[The Laughing Man]

I only use AC power, LF. The battery has been dead for months, and we don't even keep it in the laptop itself.

Oy Esmer. I know nothing of the things you said.

The screen works fine upon reboot, fully bright and functioning. But it can go into the dim display at random, and needs to be rebooted to come back.

OK, if I get brave enough to actually open this thing...what do I look for regarding the internal connections?

heh, I guess it's my verbose version of "take it apart and wiggle stuff"....

[Menolly]

Some or all of these things you've probably done already.

Thanks Syl, there are several here I have not tried yet.

Settings - Control Panel - Power Options - Power Scheme: turn off monitor = never, turn off hard disks = never, system stand by = never.

Done, which is why the stand by mode kicking in at random is really bothering us.

Settings - Control Panel - Power Options - Hibernate:
enable hibernate = unchecked

Done, which is when it stopped going to hibernate and started going into stand by mode.

Settings - Control Panel - Display - Screen Saver:
Screen saver = none

Just now turned it off.

Settings - Control Panel - Power Options - Ups : make sure no UPS device is selected.

Not seeing this under Power Options. Pehaps this laptop is too old for whatever UPS devices are.

You could also try removing any desktop background image and setting the background color to black. It will cause your monitor to draw less power, though if you bring up an all white page, like Google... If you decide going that route is necessary, though, I'd also recommend to go to Services (settings - control panel - administrative tools - services or just run : services), select "Themes," change startup to "disabled" and hit stop.

Went ahead and disabled in Settings.

You could also try downloading and running a reputable registry repair program.

Are they large programs? I hate downloading on my dial-up connection.

Other than that, I'd say take it to a professional.

Thanks Syl. I'll let you know if it helps.

[Menolly]

*really, really hoping I don't jinx things by posting this*

Thanks Syl. Since I made the changes you suggested, the laptop has not once gone into stand-by unexpectedly. I hope it lasts.

[[Syl]]

Cool